Can A Chef Afford Rent in Albany, OR?
Stretched but workable — rent takes 31.2% of gross income.
Albany rent: September 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Oregon state estimate).
About rent and a chef salary
Chef pay varies sharply by restaurant type, with executive chefs at high-end establishments earning materially above the BLS mean. At the national-average chef salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,604 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Oregon cities have lower median rent than Albany, which improves the affordability math on a chef salary:
Compare with full rent data for Albany
View full rent data for Albany, OR →Frequently asked questions
Can a chef afford rent in Albany, OR?
Median rent in Albany is $1,735 a month. A typical chef in Oregon earns about $66,716 a year, which makes that rent 31.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a chef afford in Albany?
Using the 30% rule, a chef salary in Oregon (~$66,716/yr) supports up to $1,668 a month in rent. Albany's current median rent is $1,735/mo, which is $67/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a chef work to cover rent in Albany?
At an hourly equivalent of about $32 an hour, a chef in Oregon works roughly 54.1 hours a month to cover Albany's median rent of $1,735.
Where is rent cheaper than Albany for a chef?
Nearby Oregon cities with lower median rent include Corvallis ($1,734/mo), Eugene ($1,734/mo), Rockcreek ($1,733/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a chef salary.